Patentable/Patents/US-9666113
US-9666113

Display, image processing unit, and display method for improving image quality

PublishedMay 30, 2017
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Inventorsnot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

A display includes: a gain calculation section obtaining, according to an area of a high luminance region in a frame image, a first gain for each pixel in the region; a determination section determining, based on first luminance information for each pixel in the high luminance region and the first gain, second luminance information for each pixel in the high luminance region; and a display section performing display based on the second luminance information.

Patent Claims
20 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 1

Original Legal Text

1. A display unit, comprising: circuitry configured to: obtain, based on an area of a first luminance region in a frame image, a first gain for each pixel in the first luminance region; obtain a second gain, different from the first gain, for each pixel based on first luminance information for each pixel in the first luminance region; obtain a third gain based on average picture level of the frame image; calculate a fourth gain by a computation based on the first gain, the second gain and the third gain; determine second luminance information for each pixel in the first luminance region based on the first luminance information and the fourth gain; and display the pixels based on the second luminance information.

Plain English Translation

A display unit improves image quality by adjusting pixel luminance based on several gain factors. It calculates a first gain for each pixel in a high-luminance region of a frame image, based on the size of that region. It calculates a second gain based on the original luminance of each pixel in the high-luminance region. A third gain is obtained based on the average picture level of the entire frame. These three gains are combined into a fourth gain. Finally, the display determines new luminance values for each pixel in the high-luminance region, based on the original luminance and the fourth gain, and displays the image with these adjusted luminance values.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. The display unit according to claim 1 , wherein the first gain is increased as the area of the first luminance region is decreased.

Plain English Translation

The display unit described above improves image quality by increasing the first gain for pixels in a bright region as the size of that bright region decreases. This means that smaller bright areas will receive a larger luminance boost, enhancing their visibility and contrast. The first gain is used in a calculation with other gains to adjust pixel luminance, and the adjustment is based on the size of the area.

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. The display unit according to claim 1 , wherein the circuitry is configured to obtain the first gain, based on the area of the first luminance region in each of divided regions into which an image region of the frame image is divided.

Plain English Translation

The display unit described above improves image quality by calculating the first gain based on the area of the bright region in smaller, divided sections of the frame image instead of the whole frame. It divides the image into regions, calculates the area of the high-luminance region in each of these smaller areas, and then computes the first gain for each pixel based on these smaller areas. This allows for finer-grained adjustments to pixel luminance based on more localized bright areas.

Claim 4

Original Legal Text

4. The display unit according to claim 3 , wherein the circuitry is configured to obtain the first gain, based on an average of pixel luminance values derived from the first luminance information in each of the divided regions.

Plain English Translation

The display unit described above refines its calculation of the first gain by basing it on the average luminance of pixels in each of the divided regions, alongside the area of the bright region in each divided section of the frame image. The average of the pixel values within each of these regions becomes part of the computation for the first gain.

Claim 5

Original Legal Text

5. The display unit according to claim 4 , wherein each of the pixel luminance values is a value of V information in an HSV color space.

Plain English Translation

The display unit described above uses the V (Value) component from the HSV (Hue, Saturation, Value) color space as the pixel luminance value when calculating the first gain based on the average luminance of pixels in divided regions. It converts the color information to HSV, extracts the V value for each pixel, and uses that value in its gain calculations.

Claim 6

Original Legal Text

6. The display unit according to claim 3 , wherein the circuitry is configured to obtain the first gain, based on a number of pixels that each has a pixel luminance value equal to or larger than a threshold, and wherein the pixel luminance value is derived from the first luminance information in each of the divided regions.

Plain English Translation

The display unit described above calculates the first gain based on the count of pixels in each divided region whose luminance exceeds a threshold. This allows for a more precise adjustment of gain based on the density of bright pixels rather than simply the area. The higher the count of pixels exceeding the threshold, the greater the gain.

Claim 7

Original Legal Text

7. The display unit according to claim 3 , wherein the circuitry is configured to: generate a first map based on the area of the first luminance region in each of the divided regions; and generate a second map that includes map information for each pixel based on the first map, wherein the second map has the same number of pixels as the number of pixels of the display unit, and obtain the first gain based on the second map.

Plain English Translation

The display unit described above uses maps to determine the first gain. First, it creates a first map showing the area of the bright region in each divided region of the frame image. Then, it generates a second map that has the same number of pixels as the display, and includes map information based on the first map. The first gain for each pixel is then determined using this second map, allowing for more sophisticated spatial control over gain application.

Claim 8

Original Legal Text

8. The display unit according to claim 7 , wherein the circuitry is configured to: include a lookup table that indicates a relationship between the first gain and the map information; and obtain the first gain by use of the second map and the lookup table.

Plain English Translation

The display unit described above utilizes a lookup table to determine the first gain based on the second map (a map with the same number of pixels as the display that includes map information based on the area of the bright region in each divided region of the frame image). This lookup table stores the relationship between map information from the second map and the corresponding first gain value. By referencing the lookup table, the system can quickly and efficiently determine the appropriate first gain for each pixel.

Claim 9

Original Legal Text

9. The display unit according to claim 7 , wherein the first gain is decreased as a value of the map information is increased.

Plain English Translation

The display unit described above decreases the first gain as the value of map information in the second map increases (a map with the same number of pixels as the display that includes map information based on the area of the bright region in each divided region of the frame image). Therefore, a higher value in the map results in a lower first gain, inversely affecting the resulting luminance adjustment.

Claim 10

Original Legal Text

10. The display unit according to claim 7 , wherein the circuitry is configured to: smooth the first map, and generate the second map based on the smoothed first map.

Plain English Translation

The display unit described above applies a smoothing filter to the first map (showing the area of the bright region in each divided region of the frame image) before generating the second map (a map with the same number of pixels as the display unit that includes map information for each pixel based on the first map). This smoothing process helps to reduce artifacts and create more gradual transitions in gain values across the display. The smoothed first map is then used to create the second map, which is ultimately used to determine the first gain for each pixel.

Claim 11

Original Legal Text

11. The display unit according to claim 1 , wherein the second gain is increased as a pixel luminance value is increased in a range where a pixel luminance value derived from the first luminance information is equal to or above a luminance value.

Plain English Translation

The display unit described above increases the second gain as the original luminance of a pixel increases, but only within a certain range. If the original luminance is already above a specified threshold, then increasing the luminance further will result in a larger second gain. The second gain affects the luminance of a pixel in a bright region.

Claim 12

Original Legal Text

12. The display unit according to claim 1 , wherein the display unit includes a plurality of display pixels, and each of the display pixels includes a first subpixel, a second subpixel, and a third subpixel respectively associated with wavelengths different from one another.

Plain English Translation

The display unit described above uses pixels made of subpixels to show color. Each display pixel is composed of a first, second, and third subpixel, where each subpixel emits light at a different wavelength (different color). The color that each pixel shows is a combination of the light emitted by the individual subpixels.

Claim 13

Original Legal Text

13. The display unit according to claim 12 , wherein the circuitry is configured to: compress the first luminance information to a lower luminance level; and obtain the first gain, based on the compressed first luminance information.

Plain English Translation

The display unit described above compresses the original luminance information to a lower luminance level before calculating the first gain. By compressing the luminance data first, the unit can reduce the computational resources required for gain calculation. The first gain is based on the area of the bright region in a frame image. Each display pixel is composed of a first, second, and third subpixel, where each subpixel emits light at a different wavelength (different color).

Claim 14

Original Legal Text

14. The display unit according to claim 12 , wherein each of the display pixels further includes a fourth subpixel that emits color light different from color light of the first subpixel, the second subpixel, and the third subpixel.

Plain English Translation

The display unit described above enhances its color capabilities by adding a fourth subpixel to each display pixel, in addition to the first, second, and third subpixels that emit different colors of light. This fourth subpixel emits a different color from the other three, further expanding the range of colors that can be displayed.

Claim 15

Original Legal Text

15. The display unit according to claim 14 , wherein the first subpixel, the second subpixel, and the third subpixel emit the color light of red, green, and blue, respectively, and luminosity factor for the color light emitted by the fourth subpixel is substantially equal to or higher than luminosity factor for the color light of green emitted by the second subpixel.

Plain English Translation

The display unit described above uses red, green, and blue subpixels, and the fourth subpixel emits a color where the luminosity factor is equal to or higher than the luminosity factor of green light. This means that the fourth subpixel is perceived as being as bright or brighter than the green subpixel, and has a significant impact on the overall brightness and color gamut of the display.

Claim 16

Original Legal Text

16. The display unit according to claim 15 , wherein the fourth subpixel emits the color light of white.

Plain English Translation

The display unit described above uses red, green, and blue subpixels, and uses white light as the fourth subpixel. This configuration allows the display to achieve higher brightness and improved power efficiency.

Claim 17

Original Legal Text

17. The display unit according to claim 1 , wherein the first luminance region is a region that has pixels that each has a pixel luminance value equal to or larger than a threshold, and wherein the frame image has a second region that has pixels that each has a pixel luminance value smaller than a threshold.

Plain English Translation

The display unit described above defines the "high-luminance" region used for calculating the first gain as consisting of pixels with luminance values above a certain threshold. The remainder of the frame image, where pixels have luminance values below the threshold, constitutes a second region. Only pixels in the first high-luminance region are considered when computing the first gain and adjusting luminance.

Claim 18

Original Legal Text

18. The display unit according to claim 1 , wherein the circuitry is configured to determine the second luminance information based on multiplication of the first luminance value and the fourth gain.

Plain English Translation

The display unit described above determines the final luminance of a pixel by multiplying its original luminance value with the fourth gain value. The first gain, second gain, and third gain all influence the value of the fourth gain, which is ultimately applied to the original pixel luminance through simple multiplication to produce the final displayed luminance.

Claim 19

Original Legal Text

19. An image processing unit, comprising: circuitry configured to: obtain, based on an area of a first luminance region in a frame image, a first gain for each pixel in the first luminance region; obtain a second gain, different from the first gain, for each pixel based on first luminance information for each pixel in the first luminance region; obtain a third gain based on average picture level of the frame image; calculate a fourth gain by a computation based on the first gain, the second gain and the third gain; and determine second luminance information for each pixel in the first luminance region based on the first luminance information and the fourth gain.

Plain English Translation

An image processing unit improves image quality by adjusting pixel luminance based on several gain factors. It calculates a first gain for each pixel in a high-luminance region of a frame image, based on the size of that region. It calculates a second gain based on the original luminance of each pixel in the high-luminance region. A third gain is obtained based on the average picture level of the entire frame. These three gains are combined into a fourth gain. Finally, the image processing unit determines new luminance values for each pixel in the high-luminance region, based on the original luminance and the fourth gain.

Claim 20

Original Legal Text

20. A display method, comprising: obtaining, based on an area of a first luminance region in a frame image, a first gain for each pixel in the first luminance region; obtaining a second gain, different from the first gain, for each pixel based on first luminance information for each pixel in the first luminance region; obtaining a third gain based on average picture level of the frame image; calculating a fourth gain by a computation based on the first gain, the second gain and the third gain; determining second luminance information for each pixel in the first luminance region based on the first luminance information and the fourth gain; and displaying the pixels based on the second luminance information.

Plain English Translation

A display method improves image quality by adjusting pixel luminance based on several gain factors. The method calculates a first gain for each pixel in a high-luminance region of a frame image, based on the size of that region. A second gain is calculated based on the original luminance of each pixel in the high-luminance region. A third gain is obtained based on the average picture level of the entire frame. These three gains are combined into a fourth gain. The method determines new luminance values for each pixel in the high-luminance region, based on the original luminance and the fourth gain. Finally, the pixels are displayed with these adjusted luminance values.

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Patent Metadata

Filing Date

June 4, 2013

Publication Date

May 30, 2017

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